Animal trap



Oct. 16, 1923.

L. MELERO ANIMAL TRAP Filed Oct. 1l. 1922 Patented Get. 16, 1923.

PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIANO` MELERO, 0F OWENSMOUTH, CALIFORNIA.

ANIMAL TRAP.

Application filed October 11, 1922. Serial No. 593,678.

To @ZZ whom z't may concern.:

"Be it known thatlfl, LUo'rANo MELERO, a citizen otthe Republic of Mexico` residing at' 0\vensrnouth,1nthe county of Los AngelesandState ofUalifoinia, have invented certain new andusetul Improvements in Animal Traps, ot which the following is a specification. A

This invention relates to.` animal traps, having more particular' reference to traps of the type comprisingacage or enclosure in which the animal is penned. 1'

The invention liasfor an object to provide a noveli'and eflicientitrap'of the above type.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth1 l? 1 of the drawings is a plan view of an animal trap constructed according to my invention.

Fig. l2 is a longitudinal vertical section on theqine 2 2 ot Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section illustrating the trigger device, this view being taken along the lino 3-3 of Fig. 2.

As here embodied my improved trap is in the form ot a box or cage 1U. Extending across this box, toward one end thereof, is a transverse partition 11. Located in one o1. the side walls of the larger rompartment, l). into which the box is thus divided is an opening 13 through which the animal may enter onto a double trap door 14 comprising a pair of leaves. these leaves meeting on a line extending transversely of the box in registry with the openingr 13. The trap door leaves 14 are hinged at their opposed, or removed. edges to the upper ends of pairs of arms 15, the respective arms ot each pair being located adjacent the opposite sides of the box. These arms 15 are pivotally con nected at their lower ends as at 16 to the sides of the box and are attached at their upper ends to ears 17 fixed on the undersides of the trap door leaves 14. These ears 17 have downward finger extensions 18 to which are connected one end of the coiled tension springs 19 whose opposite ends are connected to suitable fixed parts such as the eyes indicated at 19 on the nndersides of the floor elements() to be presently referred to,

the springs 19 being under tension when the doors are closed. Y

The trap doors l-l are held in closed posi tion'by means of a pair' of claws or prongs 2L on the lower end of a lever 22, these prongs engaging eyes 23 on the leaves of the doors 14. The lever 22 is tul'crumed a short distance from its upperl end to a bracket 25 depending from the topof the box 10. To the upper end of the lever is connected a rod 2G passingloosely throai h an eye 27 on the bracket 25 and extending toward lche entranceepening 13, preferably at a slight downwardlinclination as shown in Fig. 3, and having its free end in the form of a bait. hook 28.

Acting in conjunction with the door 14 in dividing the compartment 12 into upper and lower sections are [ioor strips 30 under which thc leaves of the door swing when the latter open. Fixed to the side walls of the box are pins 31 which act both to limit the movement ot the arms 15 toward one another and also to limit the downward movement of the door leaves, holding the latter in an inclined position, leaving a space just suliicient for the animal to fall through.

The other compartment of the box may be divided by longitudinal partitions 35 into three chambers, as shown in Fig. 1, an opening 36 in the transverse partition leadingr into the central chamber from the main compartment 12. while openings 37 are `formed in the partitions 35, these openings having .inclined prongs 38 spaced therearound to prevent return of the animal once it has entered one of the side chambers the tops of these chambers beingin lthe form of doors 40 through which the animal may be removed from the trap.

In the wall of the trap opposite the entrance opening 13, a `grated opening 41 may he provided. while like openings 42 may be provided in the trap wall adjacent the side chambers above referred to.

When an animal enters the trap and pulls on the bait hook 28 the prongs 21 on lever 22 disengage from the eyes 23 on the door leaves 14, and the latter open` being given a compound movement, both outwardly away from one another as the arms 15 rock on their pivots, and downwardly as the door leaves swing on 'the upper ends of the said arms.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letim mimi sin@ -United s'ffs is' frlows:

l. )in annual trui), cnn'lprislng a box hav- :1n opening through'which the Aeninfial` ifs prongs individually holding the rcspeefn: i

live le'aves closed.

2; Ari-animal lmp, eomprLsx'ng a boxhaving an oll'ening through which the animal enters` aidon'hle-lezzvezl trap door, means for holding the Vtw'n' leaves of the' tmp doer closed, and :n hail; holding element adapted w1 i'elesse thesa'id means, said means enmprisingg .a double' pronged lever engaging ejfes enithe'door leaves. i Y

f lh an anmnltmp,r a double-leaved hinged `trap doom and means or giving the leaves of the dem; :i compoundL opening mgve'ieltbtlibdily vvyfifon; one another end pivotally upon'v'theirihiges, said means including spring elements operatively engged Wilfhn the rsiefive leaves.

` In im animal trap, a double-leaved hinged trap door, and means for giving the lenves of the door u eunlponnd opening m0vement, hoh hed'ilynvay from one another and nimh/illy upon their hinges.

ln an animal trap,` :1 doubled-leaved imp (leer, peirs'of pivoted arms' on the nppex ends el which the door leaves are piv-` olefl, shore Fingers projecting downward *frein Adie hinge edges of the doorsr :1nd ten# sion springs Connected te said lingers, Ineens kidding the door leaves closedvagainst the :"etinn ef said springs, Vand e hait holding deviceedepted te release seie'nleuins.V y

jn'ltestimeny whereof'I have ullixed my signature.

LCIANO MELERQ. 

